BENNETT, Robert (1822-1891)

Robert Bennett was born at Tandragee, Armagh, Northern Ireland in ca. 1822. He arrived in Port Phillip January 1842. Bennett was a stonemason by trade later becoming a builder. He acquired property in the city and built the Globe Hotel, Melbourne from stone he quarried at Merri Creek. The hotel opened it 1848.

He was elected a Melbourne city councillor from November 1853 to 1856 in Gipps Ward and from 1856 to 1863 in Smith Ward. He was mayor 1861-1862. He was twice elected to the Victorian Legislative Assembly, in November 1856 to June 1857 and in October 1859 to August 1864.

Bennett married Margaret Holland and they had 3 sons and two daughters. They lived at Tandragee, 17 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda from 1853 until 1864.

He selected runs Swan Hill district 1860-1861 but was forced to abandon them c1868 after boundary dispute with G. Urquhart and others.